Mitchell and McDonald are among several performers participating in “A Celebration of American Creativity: In Performance at the White House” which will be filmed on October 14 for broadcast on PBS on January 8, 2016. The concert, hosted by President Barack and Mrs. Obama, has been billed as a celebration of “the cultural resonance of art and literatures in unique American musical forms.” This “In Performance at the White House” concert celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act.

Other entertainers who are slated to perform include Buddy Guy, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Keb’ Mo’, Smokey Robinson, Trombone Shorty, Esperanza Spalding and Usher. The inclusion of Queen Latifah and MC Lyte is significant because this will mark the first hip-hop performance in the “In Performance at the White House” broadcast series. All of the songs that have been selected were drawn from American-originated musical genres, including hip-hop, blues and the American Songbook.

The event will be the fifteenth “In Performance at the White House” program during President Obama’s administration. Since February 2009, “In Performance at the White House” events have honored the musical genius of Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, and Carole King; celebrated Hispanic music, the music of Motown, Memphis Soul and the Blues, and celebrated the rich roots of Country and Gospel music.

The concert, including President Obama’s remarks, will be streamed live! Watch it right here!

UPDATE: The live stream has concluded and the special will air on PBS in January. Watch the introduction given by our President Barack Obama at the event last night below.

The post Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald & More In Performance at the White House for PBS appeared first on Broadway Black.

The fundraiser will be held on a Monday, which is typically a night that cast members have off. However, the Democratic National Committee is paying the costs for the special Monday night performance. Seats are selling for up to $5,000 each which will benefit the Democratic Hope Fund. The Fund raises money to help retire Mr. Obama’s campaign debt.

Margo Lion, a Broadway producer and an investor in Hamilton, is organizing the event. She also organized Broadway fundraisers in 2007 and 2012 for Mr. Obama’s presidential campaigns.

The show, which tells the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton to a hip-hop score, has received rave reviews. Hamilton debuted off-Broadway at The Public Theater in January. It started Broadway previews July 13 and opened on August 6 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. In addition to Mr. Obama, other political figures have attended the performance, including former President Bill and former Senator Hilary Clinton, and former Vice President Dick Cheney. First lady Michelle Obama has seen the hit musical twice.

Other early guests have included comedian Jimmy Fallon and actresses Julia Roberts, Whoopi Goldberg, Laverne Cox and Olivia Wilde.

The post President Obama Set to See Hamilton Again appeared first on Broadway Black.

Hudson and Broadway leading man Norm Lewis join a long list of entertainers scheduled to perform at a two-hour show preceding the Pope’s Mass at Madison Square Garden on Friday, September 25. The program, entitled “A Journey of Faith,” will be filled with prayer and worship music performed by a variety of artists, including Harry Connick, Jr., Gloria Estefan, James (“D Train”) Williams, Martin Sheen, and The Broadway Inspirational Voices.

Fans of Hudson know that she is no stranger to devotional music as she recorded the powerful gospel song “Jesus Promised Me a Home Over There” on her “Jennifer Hudson” CD. She also lent her incredible vocal range to the gospel standard “Be Grateful” on the “Black Nativity” soundtrack.

Stage veteran Lewis’ vocals are also well known as the first Black actor to star in Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera. He was nominated for Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for his role in Porgy and Bess. Lewis also received a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance as “Nathan” in Dessa Rose. In 2008, he released his first solo album, “This Is The Life!”

The Pope began his visit to the U.S. on September 22 greeted by President Barack Obama in Washington, DC. He arrived in New York on September 24 and departed the city on September 26. After his New York trip, the Pope traveled to Philadelphia.

UPDATED: Performance videos included

The post Jennifer Hudson Norm Lewis & Broadway Inspirational Voices Perform for Pope appeared first on Broadway Black.

Hamilton, the musical about writer and revolutionary Alexander Hamilton, continues to break theater barriers in concept, casting, and storytelling. bringing fresh and desperately needed life to the Broadway stage. We previously broached the notion of “non-traditional” casting becoming traditional, and it is a conversation that needs to continue. It is good to know that this is being appreciated by not only the artistic community, but the President himself.

For tickets and more information about Hamilton, which opens on Broadway August 6th, visit www.hamiltonbroadway.com

See the exchange between President Obama and John Stewart below.

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